John Dickinson Group:Federalist State: Delaware (during Constitutional Convention)
-Had previously represented and governed both Delaware and Pennsylvania
Occupation/ Socio-Economic Background John Dickinson led a very political life. Throughout his career he governed both Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was a legislator in Pennsylvania and ultimately represented both, as a delegate, in some of the Congresses and Conventions. Before his start as legislator in Pennsylvania Dickinson practiced law in both Philadelphia and London. Also during his career he was present at: The Stamp Act Congress, and the Continental Congress (1774-1776). He was the original drafter of the Articles of Confederation, as a delegate from Pennsylvania but strongly disagreed with the prospect of Independence from Britain. During debated on Independence in 1776 Dickinson is known to be strongly opposed. He felt that reconciliation was still possible. His general political accomplishments made him very renowned but because of his stance on complete separation from Britain he became very unpopular. During this time period he withdrew himself from many public councils. It took him nearly two years to regain his seat in congress. In addition to these accomplishments John Dickinson is known for quite a bit more. His skills in writing are time and time again seen throughout his political career. As mentioned above he first drafted the Articles of Confederation. He was also chosen to draft and prepare the resolutions of the first congress. One of his more famous writing pieces was entitled: Farmers Letter’s to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies.These writings are known to have had a huge amount of influence among Americans. They enlightened the people on their rights and prepared for eventual resistance to Britain. One of his final accomplishments was the writing of his Fabius Letters.
Constitutional Convention John Dickinson attended the Constitutional Convention representing Delaware. While there he missed several of the sessions and had to leave early due to sickness. Despite his illness he was able to help in the creation and passing of the Great Compromise. He also is known as the first to suggest that the Senate should be elected by state legislatures. One of his more important accomplishments while attending was his influence on the election process of The President. Many historians believe that without his, and a few other delegates, presence that extreme nationalists would have prevailed. The result of that would most likely have been an ungratified constitution. Because of his early departure he never physically signed the Constitution but allowed he friend, George Read, to do so for him.
State Ratifying Committee John Dickinson did not attend any state ratifying committees. Despite this he still held a great deal of influence in the ratification of the Constitution. His influence can be found in his Fabius Letters, which are mentioned above. They are referred to as Fabius Letter’s because of the pseudonym under which he wrote: Fabius. These letters have been compared to the famous Federalist Papers. He began writing them April 1788. He was beginning to become worried about the hesitation of many states in their decision to ratify. Clearly his lack of attendance at any state ratifying conventions did not stop him. It’s arguable that he was more influential outside the conventions then he would have been if he had participated.
Arguments For/Against Constitution
Many of John Dickinson’s arguments for the Constitution are found in his famous Fabius Letters. In them her outlines he general reasoning behind supporting ratification and the disasters that could take place if it wasn’t ratified. Early in the series of letters he states his respect for those who are against ratification even if he thinks they are mistaken. His respect probably inspired many people to read his letters. One of the main arguments of those not supporting the Constitution was that they thought it would lead to despotism. He spends a lot of time in his letters refuting that point. Dickinson firmly believed that the representation of the American people in The House of Representatives and the representation of the state in the Senate would work strongly against despotism. He trusted the American people be able to manage themselves. Following this argument he discusses that checks and balances put in place through the Constitution. Overall Dickinson illustrates the ultimate power of the people. Although the government needed to be strong enough to stand on its own it was still able to be checked by American citizens. He successfully put to ease many of the tensions surrounding the more powerful government under the new Constitution.
References: George Read-a fellow delegate at the Constitutional Convention, he allowed George to sign the Constitution for him.
George Washington-praised Dickinson’s Fabius letters.
Richard Henry Lee-wrote several letters to John Dickinson in praise and support of his stance on American policy.
Sources:
Ahern, . "The Spirit of American Constitutionalism: John Dickinson Fabius Letters." National Humanities
Institute. Web. 19 Sep 2009. <http://www.nhinet.org/ahern.htm>.
The American Revolution. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1992. Print.
John Dickinson
Group:Federalist
State: Delaware (during Constitutional Convention)
-Had previously represented and governed both Delaware and Pennsylvania
Occupation/ Socio-Economic Background
John Dickinson led a very political life. Throughout his career he governed both Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was a legislator in Pennsylvania and ultimately represented both, as a delegate, in some of the Congresses and Conventions. Before his start as legislator in Pennsylvania Dickinson practiced law in both Philadelphia and London. Also during his career he was present at: The Stamp Act Congress, and the Continental Congress (1774-1776). He was the original drafter of the Articles of Confederation, as a delegate from Pennsylvania but strongly disagreed with the prospect of Independence from Britain. During debated on Independence in 1776 Dickinson is known to be strongly opposed. He felt that reconciliation was still possible. His general political accomplishments made him very renowned but because of his stance on complete separation from Britain he became very unpopular. During this time period he withdrew himself from many public councils. It took him nearly two years to regain his seat in congress. In addition to these accomplishments John Dickinson is known for quite a bit more. His skills in writing are time and time again seen throughout his political career. As mentioned above he first drafted the Articles of Confederation. He was also chosen to draft and prepare the resolutions of the first congress. One of his more famous writing pieces was entitled: Farmers Letter’s to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies. These writings are known to have had a huge amount of influence among Americans. They enlightened the people on their rights and prepared for eventual resistance to Britain. One of his final accomplishments was the writing of his Fabius Letters.
Constitutional Convention
John Dickinson attended the Constitutional Convention representing Delaware. While there he missed several of the sessions and had to leave early due to sickness. Despite his illness he was able to help in the creation and passing of the Great Compromise. He also is known as the first to suggest that the Senate should be elected by state legislatures. One of his more important accomplishments while attending was his influence on the election process of The President. Many historians believe that without his, and a few other delegates, presence that extreme nationalists would have prevailed. The result of that would most likely have been an ungratified constitution. Because of his early departure he never physically signed the Constitution but allowed he friend, George Read, to do so for him.
State Ratifying Committee
John Dickinson did not attend any state ratifying committees. Despite this he still held a great deal of influence in the ratification of the Constitution. His influence can be found in his Fabius Letters, which are mentioned above. They are referred to as Fabius Letter’s because of the pseudonym under which he wrote: Fabius. These letters have been compared to the famous Federalist Papers. He began writing them April 1788. He was beginning to become worried about the hesitation of many states in their decision to ratify. Clearly his lack of attendance at any state ratifying conventions did not stop him. It’s arguable that he was more influential outside the conventions then he would have been if he had participated.
Arguments For/Against Constitution
Many of John Dickinson’s arguments for the Constitution are found in his famous Fabius Letters. In them her outlines he general reasoning behind supporting ratification and the disasters that could take place if it wasn’t ratified. Early in the series of letters he states his respect for those who are against ratification even if he thinks they are mistaken. His respect probably inspired many people to read his letters. One of the main arguments of those not supporting the Constitution was that they thought it would lead to despotism. He spends a lot of time in his letters refuting that point. Dickinson firmly believed that the representation of the American people in The House of Representatives and the representation of the state in the Senate would work strongly against despotism. He trusted the American people be able to manage themselves. Following this argument he discusses that checks and balances put in place through the Constitution. Overall Dickinson illustrates the ultimate power of the people. Although the government needed to be strong enough to stand on its own it was still able to be checked by American citizens. He successfully put to ease many of the tensions surrounding the more powerful government under the new Constitution.
References:
George Read-a fellow delegate at the Constitutional Convention, he allowed George to sign the Constitution for him.
George Washington-praised Dickinson’s Fabius letters.
Richard Henry Lee-wrote several letters to John Dickinson in praise and support of his stance on American policy.
Sources:
Ahern, . "The Spirit of American Constitutionalism: John Dickinson Fabius Letters." National Humanities
Institute. Web. 19 Sep 2009. <http://www.nhinet.org/ahern.htm>.
The American Revolution. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1992. Print.
"The Articles of Confederation." The Annals of American History. Web. 19 Sep 2009.
http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=385154&query=John+Dickinson.
"Delaware." National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 19 Sep 2009.
<http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/marrydelaware.html>.
Marshall, James V. The United States Manual of Biography and History. Philadelphia: James B. Smith &
Co., 1856. Pages 143 and 144.
"Richard Lee letter to John Dickinson, 25 July 1768." FamilyTales. Web. 20 Sep 2009.
<http://www.familytales.org/dbDisplay.php?id=ltr_rhl1934&person=rhl>.